Queensland Mayors and Councillors Pocket Thousands in Pay Rises as Residents Face Financial Strains
- Mayors and councillors in Queensland awarded pay rises of between 3.25 and 4.5 per cent, sparking outrage among residents struggling with the cost of living.
- Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s salary set to soar to $295,542, while Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli will pocket $266,942.
- The pay rises, which will take effect from the next financial year, come as Queensland grapples with a 5.2 per cent inflation rate.
The decision by the Local Government Remuneration Commission has left many Queenslanders seething, with some calling it a ‘slap in the face’ for hardworking residents struggling to make ends meet.
According to the commission, the pay rises were made to ensure ‘financial sustainability’ and to address ‘pay disparities’ between smaller and larger councils. But critics argue that the increases are unjustified, particularly given the state’s current economic climate.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who runs the second-biggest council in Queensland, will receive a whopping salary of $295,542 – up from $286,239. His councillors will also enjoy a pay rise, with their salaries increasing from $170,819 to $176,371.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli will pocket $266,942 next financial year, while her councillors will receive $162,072 – up from $156,970.
In a statement, the Local Government Remuneration Commission said it considered the ‘importance’ of maintaining financially sustainable and fiscally responsible wage growth when making its decision.
‘The commission also took into account the recently challenging and unstable inflationary environment,’ the statement read.
However, the commission’s decision has been met with anger and frustration from Queensland residents, who feel that the pay rises are out of touch with the state’s economic reality.
‘It’s a kick in the guts for ordinary Queenslanders who are struggling to make ends meet,’ said one resident.
‘Why should our mayors and councillors be getting pay rises when the rest of us are barely scraping by?’ asked another.
The pay rises will take effect from the next financial year, with councils able to opt out if they choose to do so.